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Cities may be founded bearing the Name of Washington 
— Columns may be erected — and his Memory be cherished 
in the bosoms of a grateful people ; there would, never- 
theless, be something wanting. Had his features been 
more ordinary, and his expression less distinguished, the 
rising generation would still wish to know his own peculiar 
look. But when it is known and recollected that his 
Aspect Avas as noble as his Conduct, and that his counte- 
nance corresponded with his character, it is impossible to 
suppress a patriotic and natural desire to behold an im- 
pressive Image of that Countenance. 

The first Portrait of Washington, at the age of 41, was 
painted at Mount Vernon, in 1772, by Charles Willson 
Peale ; who also executed others in '78, '81, '83, '86, and 
'95. Various Likenesses have been made by Houdon, 
Trumbull, Pine, Cerachi, Westmiiller, Stuart; and again 
by C. W. Peale and Rembrandt Peale, to whom, jointly, 
Washington gave sittings in the Autumn of 1795. 

A Portrait, in Senatorial Costume, intended to combine 
the merits of these studies from the life (chiefly his own 
and his father's), was executed by Rembrandt Peale, under 
peculiar excitement, entirely for his own gratification, and 
without any view to emolument. It, however, received 
the unexpected approbation of his father, who had so 
often painted the venerated form he had known so long, 
and so Avell, and elicited the spontaneous applause of 
Washington's Relatives and most intimate friends ; and 
after having been an object of interest in his Painting 
Rooms in England, France, and Italy, was bought in 1832, 
by an unanimous Resolution of the Senate of the United 
States for $2000. A Portrait, in Military Costume— the 
study for an Equestrian Picture to commemorate the Siege 
of Yorktown — was simultaneously painted, and remains in 
R. Peale's possession : from this he has executed careful 
Copies ; with the conviction, that as he is the only Painter 



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living who ever saw Washington, the reduph'cation of his 
work, by his own hand, shoukl be esteemed the most 
reliable. 

At tlie first exposure of R. Peale's Portrait in Philadel- 
phia, Paul Beck, Esq., on leaving the Artist's painting 
Room, met Mr, John Vaughan, whom he accosted with 
this strong expression — " I have just been looking at 
Washington — he is risen from the dead !" On Judge 
Washington's first visit he exclaimed — " I am rejoiced that 
at last a Portrait is painted worthy of Washington." 

Lawrence Lewis, the oldest Nephew of Washington, who 
most resembled him and was most with him, earnestly said 
to Major Wm. Jackson, on seeing this Poi'trait in the 
Artist's Painting Room, that " It was the only Portrait 
of his uncle he would wish to look at a second time, but 
on this he could gaze continually !" When Chief Justice 
Marshall, first saw it at the Capitol, he exclaimed, " It 
seems as if I were looking at the living man !" and recom- 
mended the Artist to procure, in regard to this Portrait, 
the written testimonies of those who were intimate with 
Washington — himself commencing the example. This was 
accordingly done, to a limited extent, not as a Certificate, 
as has erroneously been asserted, but in Letters, expres- 
sive of the judgments they had already pronounced in 
public, and published during their lifetime. 

Every one who personally knew Washington will claim 
the privilege, and will exercise the right of judging for 
himself; but all others will rely on the decision made by 
his Relatives, Friends, and Cotemporaries ; nor can they 
reasonably withhold conviction from such force of evidence 
given by their own impulse, and each in his own peculiar 
language. 

It is singular in the history of this Picture, and perhaps 
worthy of being recorded, that it was scarcely finished, 
when, from the reports of Judges Peters and Tilghman, 
during five days that the Artist's Room was open, no less 
than three thousand persons, without invitation or any 
public notice, crowded to see it — People who knew the 
Original in the Army, in Congress, in Church, or in 
business for him — Their universal approbation surprised 
and could not but gratify the Artist. 



Tlie following Monumental Composition loas tvritten hy 
an English Gentleman on the bade of a sm.all Profile 
Crayon Portrait of Washington, belonging to Jonathan 
Bayard Smith. 



The Defender of his Country, 

The founder of Liberty, 

The friend of Man. 

History and Tradition are explored in vain 

For a parallel to his character ; 

In the Annals of modern greatness 

He stands alone ; 

And the noblest names of Antiquity 

Lose their lustre in his presence. 

Born the benefactor of mankind, 

He was equally endowed with all the qualities 

Appropriate to his illustrious career. 

Nature made him great, 

And, (Heaven directed). 

He made himself virtuous. 

Called by his Country to the defence of her soil 

And the vindication of her liberties. 

He led to the field 

Her patriot Armies ; 

And displaying, in rapid and brilliant succession, 

The united powers 

Of consummate prudence 

And heroic valor, 



He triumpliecl in Arms 

Over the most powerful Nation of Modern Europe ; 

His sword sfivinn; Freedom to America, — 

His councils breathing Peace to the World. 



After a short repose 

From the tumultuous vicissitudes 

Of a sanguinary War, 

The commanding energies of Washington 

Were again destined 

To a new career of glory and usefulness : 

The Civic Wreath 

Was spontaneously placed, by the gratitude of the Nation, 

On the brows of the Deliverer of his Country : 

He was twice invested 

With the powers of supreme Magistracy, 

By the unanimous voice of a free people ; 

And, in this exalted and arduous station, 

The wisdom of his Cabinet 

Transcended the glories of the Field, 



The destinies of Washington 

Were now completed — 

Having passed the Meridian of a devoted life ; 

Having founded on the pillars of National Independence, 

The splendid fabric 

Of a great Republic ; 

And having firmly established 

The Empire of the West, 

He solemnly deposited, on the Altar of his Country, 

His laurels and his sword ; 

And retired to the shades 

Of private life. 



A spectacle so new and so sublime, 

Was contemplated by mankind 

With the profoundest admiration ; 

And the Name of Washington, 

Adding new lustre to humanity, 

Resounded to the remotest regions of the Earth ! 

Magnanimous in youth ; 

Glorious through life ; 

Great in death : 

His highest Ambition the happiness of mankind ; 

His noblest victory. 

The conquest of himself — 

Bequeathing to America the Inheritance of his fame, 

And building his Monument 

In the hearts of his countrymen ; 

He lived, 

The Ornament of the Eighteenth Century ; 

He died. 

Lamented by a Mourning World. 



OF LETTERS ON 

PEALE'S WASHINGTON, 

Wi-ifteji hy the Relatives, Friends and Cotemporaries of 
Washington, at the suggestion of Judge Marshall, expressive 
of the Sentiments they had already pronounced in public. 



CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL. 

" I shall with much pleasure communicate the Impression 
I received from viewing your Portrait of Washington. I 
have never seen a Portrait of that great Man which exhi- 
bited so perfect a resemblance of him. The likeness in 
features is striking, and the character of the whole face is 
preserved and exhibited with wonderful accuracy. It is 
more Washington himself than any Portrait of him I have 
ever seen." 

JUDGE WASHINGTON. 

" I have examined with attention and pleasure the Por- 
trait you have drawn of General Washington ; and I feel 
no hesitation in pronouncing it, according to my best judg- 
ment, the most exact representation of the Original I have 
ever seen. The features, as well as the character of the 
countenance, are happily depicted." 

JUDGE PETERS. 

" I comply very cheerfully with your request to give my 
opinion of your Portrait of Washington. You have so 
many and so respectable testimonies of its excellence^ that 
nothing I can say will add weight to them, or increase the 
celebrity it has most justly obtained. No one had more 



frequent opportunities of observing both his features and 
his person than I had — to enumerate them Ayould be an 
endless task. I have seen him, during many years, from 
an early period of my life, in every situation calculated to 
imprint on my mind, accurate recollections. Perhaps there 
is no person, now living, who had more frequent occasions 
to know both his person and his character, in his private 
as well as public capacities. I have seen all or most of 
the Portraits of this venerated Father of our Country. 
The Painters of several were respectable as Artists ; but 
they have failed in the likeness — and I have never been 
satisfied with any of them. I was therefore most sensibly 
impressed with the superiority, in this regard, of your 
Portrait ; which, I think, places all others in the shade. 
Without pretending to nice discriminations in the execu- 
tion, I judge from its effect on 7ny heart. You have most 
happily caught the lineaments of his face, the air of his 
person, and the character of his mind. I have seen him 
a thousand times as he is represented by your able and 
fortunate pencil ; and do not hesitate in pronouncing yours 
to be (in my opinion) the only faithful likeness of the great 
and good character, yet exhibited. You have done your- 
self great honour, and presented to your country an ines- 
timable gift. Those of this day, and future generations, 
may view and venerate, in your performance, the true 
Portrait of him to whom they so much owe the blessings 
they enjoy. Meritorious as were all others of our revolu- 
tionary Patriots, without a Washington their exertions 
would have been vain." 

CHARLES CARROLL, OF CARROLLTON. 

" In viewing yesterday, with attention, your Portrait of 
Washington, it brought to my recollection his countenance, 
such as it was at the commencement of the Revolution, 



when excited by some incident whicli discomposed his 
usual and settled features, more expressive of thought than 
animation." 

JUDGE TILGHMAK 

" As you desire my opinion of your Portrait of Wash- 
ington, 1 will not withhold it. I have a perfect recollection 
of the countenance of that great man, having seen him a 
private gentleman, before he commanded the Armies of 
the United States, and often afterwards. His presence 
was so commanding that it was not easily forgotten. There 
have been many Portraits bearing a strong resemblance to 
him ; for, indeed, it seemed impossible to miss his likeness : 
but I can say, Avith great truth, that your work, both in 
spirit and in likeness, surpasses all that I have seen. In 
the best paintings of others, Washington is represented 
with a quiescent mind; but you have fortunately con- 
ceived his image, under the excitement of strong feeling, 
and infused into his features an animation and energy of 
character, which really belonged to him, but are not to be 
found in any other Portrait which has fallen under my 
observation." 

MAJOR WM. JACKSON. 
" In reply to your request that I would communicate 
my opinion of your Portrait of Washington, I have the 
pleasure to assure you that, in striking similitude of fea- 
tures and characteristic expression of countenance, I con- 
sider it the best and most faithful Portrait of the great 
Pather of his Country that I have seen ; and I am per- 
suaded it will be gratefully appreciated by the nation." 

JUDGE LIVINGSTON. 

" I give you with pleasure my opinion of your Picture 
of Washington, exhibited here some days since. 



9 

" During the last twenty years of the life of that great 
man I had frequent, and for a considerable portion of that 
time, daily opportunities of seeing and conversing with 
him. I first saw him when I Avas just at that early age 
when his character and the circumstances under which 
I was presented to him, were most likely to leave the 
strongest impression of his looks, and of every thing con- 
nected with his appearance. I have seen him in the Camp, 
addressing the Council of the Nation, and at his hospitable 
board. In public and in private I have studied his fea- 
tures, and they have left an indelible impression on 
my memory ; and I must say that your Picture is the 
one which comes nearest to my recollection of the great 
Original. It gives the character and expression of the 
face, as well as its features, more correctly than any I 
have seen — and I consider this delineation of the Father 
of his Country as a valuable acquisition to us who are his 
children." 

BISHOP WHITE. 

" I cannot hesitate to express my approbation of the 
Picture exhibited by you of General Washington. It 
would be rash in me to aifect scientific knowledge in the 
line of your profession ; but the impression made on me by 
the Picture is identified with my recollection of the fea- 
tures, the countenance, and, it will not be too much to say, 
the character of that great man." 

COLONEL J. E. HOWARD. 

" I have visited the Museum to see the last Picture of 
General Washington by Rembrandt Peale. The features 
of the General were peculiar, and all the Pictures, and even 
Prints, which I have seen, in some respects resembled 
him ; but, according to my judgment, in this Picture all 



10 

the features are accurately represented ; the eyes, the 
forehead, the nose, the mouth, and general expression so 
strongly designate the original that I think it hardly pos- 
sible for the Art to make a more perfect likeness." 

JUDGE CRANCH 

" I cannot refrain from expressing my portion of thanks 
to you for giving to the world so correct a delineation of 
the features of him whose character the world has so long 
kno'wn and admired. 

"As the generation of those who knew Washington, 
when living, is rapidly passing away, and posterity may be 
anxious to know which, among the many Portraits of him, 
is the most faithful ; and as, during the last six years of 
his life, I had many opportunities of seeing him in the 
domestic circle, and of studying his countenance, with an 
intensity in some degree proportioned to the interest which 
his services to his country, and his character had excited, 
I beg leave to add my humble testimony, to that of those 
who, from a more intimate acquaintance, feel as well as 
see, a likeness where a stranger would not, — to the perfect 
resemblance which you have transferred to canvas. * * * 
I do not hesitate in saying that, of all the Portraits 
of him Avhich I have seen, yours is by far the most perfect 
likeness." 

COL. B. TALLMADGE. 

" Having served under the immediate command of 
General Washington through the Revolutionary War; and 
having been often with him during his subsequent political 
life, I think I have had opportunities to see him in almost 
all conditions of his variegated life. Although many ex- 
cellent Portraits have been taken of him, I have never 
seen one, until this day, that seemed to combine a good 



11 

likeness of his person, with that peculiar expression of 
countenance which never failed to impress every one who 
beheld him. I am free to acknowledge that your Portrait 
of Washington embodies more character with a good like- 
ness than I have ever yet seen on canvas." 

AVM. RUSH. 

'• I have seen your Portrait of Washington — I think it 
the best likeness of him, when in the vigour of life, I ever 
saw on canvas. 

" I had many opportunities of seeing and observing his 
person, and particularly his face and features, in the time 
of the Revolution — I have been in battle immediately 
under his command — I have viewed him frequently 
on horseback and on foot — walking, standing, sitting. 
* * * I have modelled him as large as life and in minia- 
ture, in wood and in clay, repeatedly ; and I think I have 
not erred in what I have stated as to the truth of your 
Portrait of Washington, particularly at the time he was 
Commander-in-chief of the Army of the Revolution." 



COLONEL McLANE. 

" In almost all the trying scenes, from the time of 
Washington's appointment in 1775, until the close of the 
War, I had frequent opportunities to see and mark his 
impressive countenance: At the Battle of Long Island, in 
August 1776, whilst reporting to him the situation of that 
part of our Army engaged on the road from Brooklyn to 
the Narrows, I well remember his resolute and animated 
countenance under adverse circumstances: so also at the 
various conflicts on the Brandywine in 1777, until the 
evacuation of Philadelphia by the British in 1778, and at 
the Battle of Monmouth soon after : so also, in the cam- 
paigns of 1779, 1780, and 1781, and until AYashington 



12 

laid down liis Commission at Annapolis in 1783, I fre- 
quently saw and conversed with tlie Commander-in-chief: 
I was also present at his Installation as President, in 1789, 
at New York, and occasionally saw him afterwards, until 
it pleased Providence to close his illustrious career in 1799. 
I mention the scenes and the times in order that you may 
decide whether I am not competent to give the opinion 
you ask ; I will then say, that I have with pleasure exa- 
mined many Portraits of our departed Chief, but that 
yours is the most faithful likeness of the Original I have 
ever seen." 

COL. 11. W'HARTON. 

" Having had occasion to visit your Gallery of Paintings, 
I was forcibly struck with the strong resemblance which 
your Portrait of Washington bore to the Original. * * * 
The Portrait painted by you exhibits the strong lineaments 
of face and expression with which he addressed the 
squadron of cavalry from his quarters in this city, after 
they had escorted him from Chester on his way to take 
command of our Army, during Mr. Adams's administration. 
I pretend not to be a connoisseur in the Art of painting, 
nor have I the vanity to believe that any opinion of mine 
can add validity to the mass of evidence which you have 
obtained relative to your Washington. In my mind it 
bears more resemblance to the living features of our de- 
parted Chief than any which has ever met my view." 



JUDGE THATCHER. 



"I cannot omit to proifer my grateful acknowledg- 
ments for the high gratification which I have recently 
enjoyed in viewing your excellent Portrait of General 
Washington. I do not profess to be a connoisseur in the 
Art of Painting, but according to my conception you have. 



13 

with peculiar justness and accuvacy, portrayed the linea- 
ments and featuies of that illustrious personage in a style 
surpassing all other attempts at the same object which has 
fallen under my observation. It revives in my mind a 
pleasing recollection of that noble and expressive counte- 
nance and dignified presence which, during the llevolu- 
tionary War, I so often contemplated with veneration and 
delight. The appearance of General Washington, when 
mounted on his lofty steed, was inimitably majestic and 
graceful, and your Equestrian Portrait, representing him 
at Yorktown, is strikingly characteristic, and forms a 
spectacle peculiarly sublime and interesting." 

GENERAL DANIEL UDREE. 

" Your Portrait of Gen. Washington is the best likeness 
that my eyes ever beheld — a glow of enthusiasm made my 
heart warm with gladness to see the same — and I thought 
that he looked as well as at the Battles of Brandywine 
and Gerraantown. 

"I had the honour to command Five hundred men at 
the outpost of the left wing of our Army at the Battle of 
Brandywine, and enjoyed the pleasure of seeing him often 
afterwards." 

GEORGE WASHINGTON CUSTLS. 

"Agreeably to your wishes, I will give you my opinion 
of 'Peale's Washington.' Possessing four Original Pic- 
tures, reliques of Mount Vernon, preserving on the retina 
of memory his beloved Image, perfect as when last I 
saw him, felt the warmth of his embrace, and heard the 
accents of parental kindness from his lips, I can ' speak 
of him as he was — nothing extenuate.' 

" The figure is decidedly correct,* the complexion rather 

* Iq allusion to the Equestrian Portrait. 



14 

more bronzed than liis natural colouring, wHcli was fair, 
though considerably florid ; the eye deep sunken, blue, 
mild and thoughtful — the never to be forgotten expression 
of countenance, venerable from years, which awes, and 
will continue to awe, the world, not by the splendid attri- 
butes of power, but by the sublimity of Virtue. 

" Take it as a whole, the getting up of Peale's "Wash- 
ington,* its likeness, its classic embellishments and execu- 
tion, are worthy of the subject, and shed a lustre on the 
School of American Arts, so deservedly celebrated both at 
home and abroad." 

RUFUS KING. 

" I am not competent to speak of the merit of the Por- 
trait as a specimen of Art ; but to its fidelity as a like- 
ness I willingly bear testimony." 

GEN. R. G. HARPER. 

" I express to you with great pleasure my opinion of 
your fine Portrait of Washington. * * *' His features 
and his character are, in my opinion, far more accurately 
represented in your Portrait, than in any other which has 
fallen under my notice." 

GOV. OLIVER WOLCOTT. 

"Without intending to draw comparisons between the 
productions of eminent Artists, who delineated the person 
of this illustrious man, at other periods of his life, in 
different attitudes, and during various degrees of intellec- 
tual excitement, I may confidently assert that your Por- 
trait is a fair and just representation, highly honourable to 
you as an Artist." 

* In allusion to the Senatorial Portrait. 



15 



CHARLES WILLSON PEALE. 



" My first acquaintance with Washington, "who was then 
a Colonel of the Alexandria Militia, was in 1772, at 
Mount Vernon ; where I painted his Portrait, and those 
of several members of his family, conversing daily with 
him during several weeks. This intimacy continued till 
the close of his life. 

" After he received the appointment of Commander-in- 
chief of the Armies of the thirteen Colonies, I painted his 
Portrait for Mr. John Hancock, the first President of 
Congress, and subsequently, several others for some of the 
States, and different Individuals, as well as for my own 
Gallery of distinguished Characters : Whilst sitting for 
one of them (a Miniature for Mrs. Washington), he re- 
ceived despatches communicating the surrender of Bur- 
goyne. In short, I had frequent opportunities of being 
with him during the Revolutionary War, as I commanded 
a company of Philadelphia Militia, and was at the battles 
of Trenton and Princeton. I was often with him in Camp 
and in the City of Philadelphia, where several of my like- 
nesses were taken. 

" Now, notwithstanding the celebrity of the last Portrait 
by Stuart, and the success of my own last Original, both 
of which were painted in 1795, I feel assured that my son, 
after repeated attempts, during many years, has succeeded 
in producing a Portrait of Washington that surpasses all 
others ; particularly the Study for his Equestrian Portrait, 
which is the most perfect likeness of him I have ever seen 
— true in form, and fine in the expression of his counte- 
nance — and this, I find is the judgment of all who have 
seen it, and were at all acquainted with Washington." 



16 



f riiit nf ffilasljingtoii 



A CAREFULLY EXECUTED 




OF THE FULL SIZE, 



DRAWN BY 



PLpmfipflnbf "JPfhIp, 

FEOM HIS ORIGINAL PORTRAIT. 



In executing this Work himself (instead of confiding it 
to the hand of another, who had never seen the living 
Original), he has endeavoured to meet the public expecta- 
tion ; as the essential traits of character have become 
familiar to him, by having made many Copies of this 
Portrait : Each possessor of a Print, therefore, will own, 
at a moderate cost, what is effectively equivalent to an 
Original Drawing. 

Impressions of the Print may be had on application to 
him. No. 502 Vine Street, Philadelphia. 



N.B. It is his intention (life permitting) to make a few 
facsimile Copies in Oil from his Original Portrait. 



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